General News
Africa Cannot Be a ‘Jewel in a Desert of Distress’ — Mahama
President of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has called for deeper African cooperation and a fundamental reset of the continent’s development model, warning that isolated national successes will not be enough in a rapidly changing global order.
Speaking at a high-level convening of the Accra Research Initiative on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Mahama said Africa must move collectively to escape cycles of dependency and underdevelopment.
“However admirable Ghana’s turnaround story is, it is not enough. We cannot be a jewel in a desert of distress. We must work together as Africa,” President Mahama said.
A Changing Global Order
The Ghanaian leader warned that the multilateral governance system established after the Second World War is weakening, with bilateral relations increasingly driven by narrow, transactional interests.
“Our world as we know it is at an inflection point. The global, multilateral governance system is breaking down, and Africa cannot afford to be passive in this moment,” he stated.
According to President Mahama, Africa must be an active participant in shaping the emerging global order rather than adapting to decisions made elsewhere.
“While no name has yet been coined for the new global system that will emerge, Africa intends to be at the table in determining what that new global order will look like,” he said.
Breaking the Dependency Cycle
President Mahama said Africa remains trapped in what he described as a “triple dependency”—reliance on external actors for security, donor funding for social services, and the export of raw materials without value addition.
“We supply the world’s critical minerals, but capture almost none of the value. This is not sovereignty; it is a trap, and it is getting worse,” he warned.
He pointed to shrinking global humanitarian assistance and shifting geopolitical priorities as evidence that Africa must urgently build internal capacity.
“Global humanitarian assistance is declining, and many countries are cutting development aid. Africa must pull itself up by its own bootstraps,” Mahama said.
Lessons from COVID-19
The President cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a defining moment that exposed Africa’s vulnerability in global systems, particularly in access to vaccines and medical supplies.
“Africa was the last continent to begin receiving vaccines during a global pandemic. That experience was a wake-up call for all of us,” he noted.
Ghana’s Turnaround, Africa’s Challenge
Highlighting Ghana’s recent economic recovery, President Mahama said disciplined leadership and accountability have helped restore macroeconomic stability.
“From a debt-distressed, crisis-ridden economy, we have achieved a strong turnaround by cutting waste, restoring confidence, and focusing on execution,” he said.
However, he stressed that sustainable progress requires a continental approach.
“No African country can industrialise on its own. We must knit together our success stories and scale them across the continent,” he added.
The Accra Reset Vision
President Mahama described the Accra Research Initiative as a practical framework for coordinated African action, focusing on skills development, regional manufacturing, and collective negotiation on minerals, trade, and climate finance.
“This is not a talk shop or another declaration. It is a practical blueprint for building real sovereignty—measured in jobs created, industries built, and young people thriving,” he said.
A Call for Partnership, Not Pity
Concluding his remarks, President Mahama called on global partners to engage Africa on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests.
“We did not come here to ask for charity. We came to propose a partnership of the willing—based on dignity, responsibility, and shared prosperity,” he said.
Looking to the future, the President framed Africa’s challenge as both urgent and hopeful.
“The question before us is not whether change is needed, but whether we have the courage to build it together,” Mahama said.
The United States Embassy in Accra has announced the release of more than 2,000 additional visa interview appointments over the next two weeks for applicants seeking B1 and B2 visas.
According to the Embassy, the newly opened slots are intended to support individuals planning temporary travel to the United States for business, tourism, family visits, and participation in major international events. Among the anticipated events is the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place across North America.
In an official statement, the Embassy encouraged prospective applicants to secure interview dates as soon as possible due to sustained demand for B1 and B2 visas. These visa categories cover short-term travel for business purposes under B1 and tourism or family visits under B2.
Applicants who already have appointments scheduled later in the year are also advised to log into the visa scheduling system to check for earlier availability and, where suitable, reschedule their interviews.
The Embassy indicated that the additional appointment slots are expected to help reduce existing backlogs and provide greater flexibility for travelers with time-sensitive plans.
Further details on application procedures, requirements, and appointment scheduling are available on the Embassy’s official visa information page at: https://gh.usembassy.gov/visas/
Ghana’s telecommunications sector may soon witness increased competition in the 5G space following a move by the National Communications Authority to amend the licence of Next-Gen Infraco.
In a press release dated March 4, 2026, the regulator announced it had issued a Notice of Proposed Licence Amendment to NGIC, seeking to remove the exclusivity clause that grants the company sole rights to operate in Ghana’s 5G segment. The Authority said the action was taken pursuant to Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
If approved, the amendment would open the 5G market to other operators, allowing them to deploy the technology independently.
According to the NCA, the proposed amendment is in the public interest and intended to promote competition and innovation, enhance consumer choice and service quality, accelerate nationwide digital transformation, and ensure efficient use of spectrum as a national resource.
Under the law, the amendment will take effect 90 days from the date of the notice unless, after reviewing any representations submitted by NGIC within the statutory period, the Authority determines otherwise. The NCA emphasized that the process complies with due procedure and aligns with its mandate to regulate communications services in the national interest.
NGIC’s Commercial Rollout
The proposed regulatory change comes shortly after NGIC announced it had received clearance from the NCA to commence full commercial operations as Ghana’s wholesale 4G and 5G infrastructure provider. The company said the approval followed technical inspections confirming compliance with its Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure Licence.
NGIC has deployed 49 operational 5G sites across the country. Of these, 43 are located in Greater Accra, with the remaining sites spread across the Ashanti, Western, Northern, Bono and Central regions. The network is currently live in selected parts of Accra, Kumasi and Tamale under a wholesale-first model, where NGIC builds and manages shared radio and core infrastructure, while mobile network operators provide retail services to customers.
Chief Executive Officer Tenu Awoonor described the rollout as a transition from planning to execution, stating that the shared backbone is now commercially active and positioned for expansion. He noted that the model is designed to coordinate infrastructure investment nationally while preserving competition at the retail level.
Chief Operating Officer Nenyi George Andah said the company’s immediate focus is on scaling coverage in a coordinated and sustainable manner. He maintained that the wholesale model supports faster national reach and more efficient capital deployment.
Technology partner Nokia also reaffirmed its role in the deployment. Mustapha Salah, Head of Central West and East Africa, Mobile Networks at Nokia, said the partnership would support the rollout of Ghana’s first neutral-host 4G and 5G network, enabling operators to deliver high-speed data services and new enterprise solutions.
Licence Fee Default
In a related disclosure, the NCA indicated that NGIC is in default of an installment payment under its agreed licence fee schedule. The regulator said it is addressing the matter in accordance with applicable statutory provisions.
The combination of a potential policy shift on 5G exclusivity and concerns over fee compliance marks a significant moment for Ghana’s telecoms industry. While NGIC’s wholesale model remains central to national broadband expansion plans, the regulator’s proposed amendment signals a possible recalibration aimed at deepening competition and optimizing spectrum management.
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